I've been bitten, Should I be concerned?

[Samer2010]

Hi Forum,

I live in an area which is quite close to a forest, and because I love animals so much I used to throw some pieces of bread to birds and some fruits/nuts to squirrels from my balcony. I truly enjoy feeding these cute and adorable creatures.

Yesterday, I was holding some walnuts in my hand and unexpectedly a squirrel came to me to eat, But that little bastard bites my finger, and it damn hurts.

From a pure health perspective, Should I be concerned because of the squirrel bite?

I did some research and they claim that squirrels can carry many diseases such as Rabies, Tetanus, West Nile Virus...etc...

So, What do you think? Shoul I go to doctor? Any knowledge or experience?

Thanks, and I would really appreciate your inputs !

[rinso]

The only thing you should really worry about is tetanus.
But unless you have a recent vaccination you should indeed see a doctor.

[jazen100]

I guess you have to see a doctor.....

[AldenG]

Even a domestic cat bite can become very serious after a couple of days. I have a friend whose arm swelled and reddened up to the elbow after her cat bit her hand, and the doctor told her it's not that unusual, either.

The trouble with bites is that they may look quite tiny but the germs are down deep. You need to get this treated before you see serious symptoms. There will be a protocol in place to ensure you are treated correctly.

[tuulen]

I agree with everybody else here, that going to a doctor is the right thing to do.

The squirrel probably just got nervous and bit you. But a doctor could tell you what you need to know.

[Karhunkoski]

I truly enjoy feeding these cute and adorable creatures.

A common problem. Some people think hippos are cuddly.

Yes, see a doctor just to be sure.

[Jukka Aho]

Some people think hippos are cuddly.

At least they’re happy... and horny? :-o (Not in that way, you dirty old man.)

[Samer2010]

Thanks for your responses !

Just came from the doctor. Tetanus vaccine has been given, and an insanely expensive antibiotics has been prescribed.

Anyhow, A lesson Is learned (The hard way): If you see any animal, then, Do NOT feed it - Just shot it and shot its mother as well. Unfortunately, I don't have a gun and am certainly not planning to own one -:/

[Upphew]

Just came from the doctor. Tetanus vaccine has been given, and an insanely expensive antibiotics has been prescribed.

So you won't become weresquirrel? Shame

Anyhow, A lesson Is learned (The hard way): If you see any animal, then, Do NOT feed it - Just shot it and shot its mother as well. Unfortunately, I don't have a gun and am certainly not planning to own one -:/

Hmm, maybe you are turning into wererodent... extreme swings in mood made me think about that.
Wild animals are wild. Would you rush to feed your hand to lion? Oh, I meant hand feed. I wouldn't. Just like I wouldn't give food to any wild(ish) animal from my hand, be it squirrel, bear or duck.

[Samer2010]

ahh Upphew, Cut me some slack, Will ya?

I'm a good guy and I have never ever caused any harm to any animal my entire life...Therefore, In return I wasn't expected to get hurt.

I did something really stupid - Yes, Feeding wild animals is WRONG.

When I came to Finland I fell in love with Squirrels (We don't have them back home) Which is kinda odd because the English brought other animals.

Anyways, All the squirrels I have seen in Finland are bashful, running around trying to pick up food that had fallen to the ground or they come after I leave the balcony. But that little bastard (The one which bites me) was braver and fatter (VERY fat actually) than the others. It looks so cute and funny, and this is the reason why I kept the walnuts in my hand to see if he’d eat it out of my hand.

[jahasjahas]

I'm a good guy and I have never ever caused any harm to any animal my entire life...Therefore, In return I wasn't expected to get hurt.

The squirrel must have confused you with someone else. You know how bad they are with human faces.

[Oombongo]

Wild animals should not be fed. Mother nature usually takes care of it. Feeding them encourages them and they start giving a personal visit to your surroundings. The old lady who moved in my previous building start to feed the squirrels out of motherly love, and those little brats start to show up in apartment balconies.
There's a reason why people are discouraged to feed birds near the airports.

[CH]

I did something really stupid - Yes, Feeding wild animals is WRONG.

It's not wrong to feed wild animals (*), just don't feed them directly from your hand. Lots of people, for instance, put out food for birds during the winter. If you want to see lots of almost-scary squirrels, go to Seurasaari in Helsinki. Those little critters sure feel entitled to food! And people there do feed them directly from the hand. Your squirrel was probably a bit scared, and therefore bit... the problem is that a rabid animal are also prone to biting, so I myself would rather not feed directly from my hand any wild animal that can carry rabies (although a quick googling says that squirrels are generally not considered a risk for rabies, as most small rodents rarely develop rabies... hmm, I didn't know that) .

(*) ... within reason. Don't throw lots of food on the ground, or it will attract rats. There are some that throw bagful of old bread on the ground for birds in parks... not the best food for birds, and it will just end up feeding a rat colony. Put seeds and crushed nuts up in bird feeders... squirrels can also find them there, and birds won't spread salmonella to each other. Birds find plenty of food in the summer, though, so really no need for feeding then. Don't feed ducks or swans just before winter is coming, or they may decide to stay when they really should be on a warm beach somewhere south instead of being stuck in ice (... hmm, that goes for humans, too, IM(not so)HO). And if you start feeding birds during the winter, continue the whole winter.

[Pursuivant]

Naah, just wear leather gloves and don't make sudden moves. In Helsinki if you go to Seurasaari the squirrels will climb up your legs and to your hand if you're feeding the birds... You need to have bread with you or the geese will peck you and squirrels be mighty cross. Also, they like shiney objects so they nibble rings and such...

[AldenG]

In Helsinki if you go to Seurasaari the squirrels will climb up your legs and to your hand if you're feeding the birds... You need to have bread with you or the geese will peck you and squirrels be mighty cross. Also, they like shiney objects so they nibble rings and such...

I can tell you from first-hand experience that they didn't use to be that way.

But once a bunch of the indigenous ones started spreading the word about how good the social benefits were becoming at Seurasaari, others started flocking in from everywhere on every imaginable pretext.